With the living voice
Scholarships for Utah students in speech, debate and drama, and grants to the programs that give them a stage.
Viva voce
vee-vuh voh-chay
Viva voce means “with the living voice.” It is the phrase behind oral examination and live performance both. Debate and drama are the two disciplines where the work does not exist until someone says it out loud, in a room, in front of people. Everything else can be handed in. This has to be spoken.
The living voice
The foundation exists to help young people step onto the stage, to help community theaters and school programs make their shows happen, and to make sure everyone can see and take part in theater.
That means three things: the Living Voice Speech Arts Scholarship, $6,000 a year for three Utah public high school seniors at $2,000 each; grants to Utah secondary schools, school districts, community theaters and nonprofits for workshops, guest artists and production costs; and backing for Wasatch Front community theaters and accessible performances, with ASL, captions, audio description and affordable seats.
$6,000
awarded in 2027
3
Utah seniors each year
7
theaters & school programs, 2026–27
What we do
Three things, all aimed at the same place — Utah students who want a stage, and the people who give them one.
For students
The scholarship
$6,000 a year — three Utah public high school seniors at $2,000 each, for speech, debate, drama or stage crew. One essay, 400 to 600 words. You do not have to major in theater. Applications for 2027 close April 9, 2027.
For programs
Grants
Utah schools, school districts, community theaters and nonprofits can apply to us for workshops, guest artists and production costs — royalties, scripts, sets, costumes. It starts with a letter of inquiry that takes about ten minutes. Accepted year round, reviewed quarterly.
For theaters
Season sponsorships
We put the foundation’s name behind a theater or a school program for a whole season, so a student who wants to perform has somewhere to do it and a family who wants to watch can afford the ticket. Courage Theatre and Mad King Productions in 2026; five more joining for 2027.
Blog
Auditions, opening nights, and scholarship news from Utah theater.
Browse by topic
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What’s On Stage in Utah: The Weekend of October 9–11, 2026
Utah theater Oct 9–11, 2026: captioned and ASL Cursed Child before it closes, ASL +…
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Jeremy Jordan Is Coming to the Salt Lake Valley — December 6 at Cottonwood High School
Broadway’s Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, The Great Gatsby) plays one night at Cottonwood High School in…
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What’s On Stage in Utah: The Weekend of October 2–4, 2026
New shows open across Utah Oct 2–4, from Ogden to Spanish Fork, plus a closing…
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What’s On Stage in Utah: The Weekend of September 25–27, 2026
Closing weekend for Next to Normal in ASL in Ogden, audio-described and captioned Cursed Child…
Get in touch
Questions about the scholarship, a grant, or how to help? Write to us and a real person will answer.
Viva Voce Foundation
6129 Clara Dr
Taylorsville, UT 84129